Make: Colt

Model: Colt New Line Model (Colt New 22)

Serial Number: 19368

Year of Manufacture: 1876 https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/

Caliber: .22 Caliber Rim Fire

Action Type: Single Action Only Revolver

Markings: The top of the barrel was marked “Colt’s PT.FA MFG.Co / Hartford, CT.USA”. The left side of the barrel is etched “COLT NEW 22”. The butt of the grip frame is marked “19368”. There is engraving throughout.

Barrel Length: The round barrel is 2.25” long.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” groove in the top strap. It is exposed when the shooter cocks the hammer.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece Ivory grips. Both sides show yellowing from age and handling marks. The grips rate in about excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Nickel 

Finish Originality:  Original 

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling is strong. There is a spot of light erosion in the barrel. 7/10 for a bore rating in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 89% of its metal finish. This gun has honest wear and tare. The residue from the black powder has corroded the nickel in the appropriate spots. Most apparently at the muzzle on all sides. There is light finish loss to the frame in front of the cylinder. The original blue color can still be observed on the hammer and some screws. The cylinder pin and its knurling has begun to gather surface rust. The screw heads range from strong to slightly tool marked.Overall, this handgun rates in about fine plus condition. Please see our photos.

Mechanics: The action does function correctly. The hammer will cock and the trigger will throw the hammer. The cylinder will lock-up. We could not pull the cylinder pin. We did not fire this handgun. We do not recommend firing this weapon.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The “New Line” was Colt’s first production model handgun chambered for .22 caliber and outnumbered all other pistols in Colt’s “New Line” group. This revolver utilized a .22 caliber cartridge matched to a 7-shot fluted cylinder fitted to a 2-1/4” long round barrel. This revolver was designed to be a small but potent self-defense revolver for stowing in one’s pocket in the 19th Century. Spur Trigger “Suicide Special” manufacture was fierce during this time, and Colt struggled to compete against the countless small shops making very similar, less expensive revolvers, though not necessarily of the same quality. The Colt remained a steady, reliable force in firearms for much longer than the rest. This revolver features 7 shots of .22 caliber and a handsome aged nickel finish.

The New Line series of revolvers, including all calibers, was a single action pocket revolver introduced by the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in 1873 and continued through 1884. Two years after the Colt House Revolver, a year after the Colt Open Top, and almost simultaneously alongside the Colt Peacemaker, the Colt New Line was one of the first metallic cartridge, rear-loading revolvers manufactured by Colt.

The overall condition is fine plus; 89%Nickel finish and the action is strong. The bore is in good condition with strong rifling. The grips are an amazing set of ivory and the numbers match.